A small-town pastor named Todd Burpo faces financial and personal struggles along with his family. Their lives take an unexpected turn when Todd's young son, Colton, undergoes emergency surgery and later claims to have experienced a visit to Heaven during the operation. Colton recounts vivid details of his journey, describing encounters with deceased relatives and other heavenly experiences that he could not have known about otherwise. Todd and his wife, Sonja, grapple with understanding and believing their son's extraordinary claims.

As the story progresses, Todd becomes more vocal about Colton's experiences, sharing them with his congregation, which sparks a mixture of skepticism and faith within the community. The family’s relationships are tested as they navigate the reactions of friends and parishioners who have differing views on the nature of Colton's revelations. Todd himself battles doubt and seeks evidence to either confirm or disprove his son's assertions, all while trying to maintain his responsibilities as a pastor and husband. His journey to reconcile these events challenges his faith and reshapes his understanding of spirituality.